ferocity

noun

fe·​roc·​i·​ty fə-ˈrä-sə-tē How to pronounce ferocity (audio)
: the quality or state of being ferocious
the ferocity of the lion's attack

Examples of ferocity in a Sentence

the ferocity of the lion's attack We were stunned by the ferocity of the storm.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite the preparation, the 10 or so firefighters on the ground in the grove had to pull out overnight Sunday because of the ferocity of the blaze’s leading edge, Zwierzchowski said. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 But their ferocity on the battlefield eventually earned them the name Hellfighters. Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025 The hills surrounding Verdun were literally reduced in height from the ferocity of the artillery barrages leveled against their slopes. Michael Jerome Plunkett september 5, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025 On court, Annie and Helen spray their shots with unrestrained ferocity, aiming not for the baselines but for each other’s torsos. Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ferocity

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ferocity was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Ferocity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ferocity. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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